During the summer months, it’s easy to remember all of the local produce that’s available in Southern Ontario. From bright flavourful berries to fresh sweet corn that’s second to none, June, July and August are filled with visits to local farms, markets and fruit stands before the harvest runs out, and we have to settle for canned, frozen and imported produce that just doesn’t hold the same appeal. However, just because those bright summer days have come to an end, doesn’t mean that our local produce has expired just yet.
Rock Garden Farms, located on Airport Road in Caledon, is a destination for many in the area, with local produce and baked goods, from spring, summer and fall. While summer may be their peak season, filled with all of the wonderful produce that I have already mentioned, they are no less busy, nor is their store no less full, once the calendar flips and we find ourselves officially into ‘autumn’.
Truthfully, there can be so many good things coming from a local Ontario fall harvest, that it can be difficult to know where to start, or how to create delicious meals that will ensure that you’re getting the most out of what is available. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to chat with Margaret, owner of Rock Garden Farms, along with her family, and get some ideas of her fall favourites.
Sourdough is a year long treat, but with its unique tangy taste and crispy crust, it makes a perfect compliment to so many fall meals. This year they started selling gorgeous country style sourdough made by Margaret’s son, Stefano. Gifted a starter, he began experimenting with flours, testing out how they affected the final product, before settling on a country grain milled in the Caledon area. His early bakes were just for the family, however, as he was working so hard on something that he was so passionate about, Margaret and the family wanted to invest in him. They purchased an oven and began selling the loaves in store, with fresh ones appearing every weekend.
Whether it’s the original flavour, the popular jalapeno cheddar flavour, or any of the other flavours that Stefano’s slowly starting to experiment with, this crusty, hearty bread is a great place to start when it comes to making fall meals. On those nights when summer’s heat is still trying to linger, it makes a great companion to a light salad, filled with local heirloom tomatoes, bold roasted peppers and a flavourful burrata cheese, with its unique creamy smoothness. Toss all this together in a flavourful olive oil – and save a little extra for dipping your bread – which Rock Garden Farms imports from Italy, and you’ve got the perfect meal.
When the nights turn cooler, and you’re looking to add a little more meat to your bones, toss that same bread into the oven to warm it, before you dip it into a savoury, hearty stew, filled with squash and other root vegetables, picked fresh from the earth, likely not too far down the road.
Now, there will be some nights that you just don’t feel like cooking. We’ve all been there. Instead of wasting money on takeout that lacks both the nutrition and flavour of a home cooked meal, you can purchase any of the premade frozen meals that Rock Garden Farms keeps on hand for just such occasions. Their lasagnas are made weekly and frozen fresh, so all you have to do is pull it out of the freezer and pop it into the oven for a meal that tastes as good as if you’d made it from scratch yourself at home. Their homemade pasta sauce is also excellent to add to your pantry for a quick fall meal. As they are always supporting local businesses as well, you can also grab meals from other local cooks, such as Jenny’s Kitchen, which features a range of delectable meat pies, including Shepherd’s Pie made with regular potatoes or sweet potatoes for that taste of fall goodness.
One thing that often surprises people in the fall is how much stock Rock Garden Farms keeps in hand for canning as well. Anything that you would like to preserve for the winter – from cucumbers to full ranges of peppers – Rock Garden Farms will have in volume, ensuring you have access to our amazing local produce, all year long.
In the end, what is important is that you buy and enjoy the fresh locally grown food while they have it; it’s a privilege to have access to this amazing local produce and it’s only through our support that we can continue to enjoy it. So, gather the family and head to Rock Garden Farms; their family is honoured to welcome yours.
WRITTEN BY: JILLIAN KENT | PHOTOGRAPHY: CORY BRUYEA
RESOURCES: ROCK GARDEN FARMS, CALEDON EAST
